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Double Bass Uneven response across strings after string change

M

mattwells

Mar 19, 2003
238
18
GA
#1
I have an American Standard (from the 40s or so I think when I looked up the SN) - when we last moved cross-country, I loosened the strings a little too much for the move and the soundpost fell. Recently got the soundpost set and opted for some new strings (retiring the Velvet Garbo's I had) and seup for the new strings (D'Addario Zyex).

Had some issues with the Zyex and the odd AS scale length, but now have them properly installed. The D-G has great booming volume and crisp response - lets call it an 8 on a 1-10 scale. The E string is a 5 on the same scale (both volume and attack), though, and the A more of a 3. I'm wondering if this is a result of the soundpost being set differently than before? I'm still letting the strings settle a bit so the D-G may mellow some or the E-A may change a bit, but I'm hoping to get a better idea of what the issue may be if/when I take it to a luthier. (The local-ish guy that works on stringed instruments I do not trust nor want to give my business to, the guy I like and would love to give business to mostly works on guitars [but is phenomenal when it comes to that]).
 
#4
Garbos were damaged in transit, no way to utilize them (which is what led to new strings - when the luthier tried to bring them up to tension they snapped at the nylon wrapping part).

The volume on the E-A is similar to what I was getting with the Garbo's, D-G much bigger and punchier (I like it much more for what I am playing now).
 
#5
mattwells said:
The volume on the E-A is similar to what I was getting with the Garbo's, D-G much bigger and punchier (I like it much more for what I am playing now).
Click to expand...
Sounds more like the soundpost is closer to the bridge than before.
You should invest in a soundpost repositioning session (trying different positions) if you think you might like to have a different balance than you have now.
 
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#6
this may not help too much because I think it probably is your sound post position..

but I will say i tried the zyex strings recently and 1. they all snapped on me except the G-string! how about that.. and 2. I think I do remember the sound being a little more dead in the E/A string area..

I then of course went back to Thomastic Spirocore.. and solved..

But you still need to feel/hear the difference when you adjust your soundpost.. I had a soundpost session one time a long time ago where the luthier moved my sound post, then I played.. then he moved it again.. and I played.. there was a difference!

I think in the end they don't want to be moving your soundpost a lot though.. so ..


oh and the zyex strings were new and they snapped on the upper area near the tuning pegs..
 
#8
I should have gotten a replacement, but I just wanted to stop trying zyex strings and go back to what always worked and always will.. what did zyex even do anwyay? the thomastic strings do it all.. why is there a need for zyex?

thats my thing anyway, remember the zyex strings have some different core and winding that isn't as strong as the thomastic..
 
#9
I'll check with the guitar-luthier here in town to see what we could do about a soundpost session and go from there.

Thanks for the advice.

I probably won't go for the Zyex again for the reasons you mention bassfacer, but since I have already spent the money I will see how they do for awhile.
 
#10
if you do the sound-post movement, be very slow and take your time really feeling the strings after he moves it.. you really can't second guess yourself..

you will notice things like the E and A strings being too loose or feel tight all the sudden and maybe you will all the sudden notice and hear that the D and G strings became thin and dont' resonate as much.. notice those kind of things..

feel of string (is it looser or tighter than before..)

sound resonance - (does the E still sound as Big as it did before?)

stuff like that..
 

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